The political landscape in Bayonne was turned topsy-turvy on Tuesday, May 13, as it appeared that Mayor Mark Smith and Police Capt. James Davis were headed for a June runoff election. As of 10 p.m. on Tuesday night, Smith had received 5,971 votes in the mayoral election, or 48.6 percent, while Davis received 5,809 votes or 47.3 percent. Businessman Anthony Zanowic received 482 votes or 3.9 percent. A candidate needs more than 50 percent to win outright. Most council races mimicked the mayoral contest. Only Thomas Cotter of the Davis ticket appeared to have won outright, garnering 2,069 votes for 56.1 percent. First Ward Councilwoman Agnes Gillespie of Smith’s line had 1,247 votes and 33.8 percent. Daniel Herrera of the Zanowic slate had 361 votes for 9.7 percent. The 2nd and 3rd Ward races appeared headed for runoffs as well. In the 2nd Ward, Councilman Joseph Hurley (Smith) garnered 1,390 votes for 48.1 percent. Sal Gullace (Davis) had 1,271 for 44 percent. Chelsea Jeskie (Zanowic) was third, with 223 votes for 7.7 percent.

In the 3rd Ward, former councilman Gary La Pelusa (Davis) received 1,667 votes or 46.6 percent, while Councilman Ray Greaves (Smith) had 1,401 or 39.2 percent. Michael Alonso (independent), Washington Flores (independent) and Anthony Di Iorio (Zanowic) received 235/6.5, 174/4.8, and 95/2.6, respectively. In the at-large race, where two candidates are to be chosen, Council President Terrence Ruane (Smith) was leading with 4,886/24.6 and Councilwoman Debra Czerwienski (Smith) was second with 4,311/21.7. Trailing them were Davis running mates Juan Perez, 4,083/20.6 and Sharon Nadrowski 4,102/20.7. The final two were Leonard Kantor (Zanowic), 1,484/7.5 and John Sebik, 907/4.5. “I’m surprised, but that’s the name of the game,” Ruane said as the election results were still coming in. “The people are speaking. The city’s a little divided here, obviously.” Watch hudsonreporter.com for more details, and read more in next week’s newspaper.